Scenes From The Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame 2008 Induction Ceremony
We know you probably didn't watch the Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony last night. So here's a quick run down of what you missed:
- Gamble & Huff, Little Walter, The Ventures, Leonard Cohen, Madonna, and John Mellencamp got inducted.
- Leonard Cohen was introduced by noted boxing blogger Lou Reed and covered by Damien Rice who, despite doing the world's billionth "Hallelujah" cover in the vein of Jeff Buckley, was surprisingly moving.
- Justin Timberlake introduced Madonna in the speech of a thousand frat boy sex puns ("induct her ... enter the hall"), talked about Madge's many imitators ("and I may have even dated a couple"), and shared an anecdote of that time she gave JT a B-12 shot in the ass.
- Madonna gave an awesome speech about taking drugs with her closest confidants and working hard that made us love her a little bit more.
- The Stooges Iggy Pop covered "Burning Up" and "Ray Of Light" in tuxedo. (Just kidding he was only wearing jeans obvs.) Also Mike Watt was wearing a fantastic mustache.
- Billy Joel did a good job introducing John Mellencamp, and people in the heartland learned for the first time last night Billy is "Jewish, not Italian."
- John Mellencamp is the most boring man alive. And his son is definitely better looking than you.
But as with all these things, there's plenty that went down away from the film crew. For a little more detail on the shitshow, Stereogum sent ace photographer Kyle Dean Reinford to spend the night in the Waldorf-Astoria press room, taking pictures of the inductees and the many random celebrities in attendance (Ed Burns and Christie Turlington?). Here's his report of what you didn't see or hear on TV...
Here's Kyle's bullet-point "What I Learned In The 2008 Rock Hall Induction Press Room":
- Chevy Chase will continue to do the occasional weekend update. Though other photographers asked him to, Chase wouldn't fall down for a photo. "I'm 64," he said.
- Ed burns may or may not be doing a new film where he is a new york mayor that gets in trouble for sexual exploits.
- For some reason princess raiyah of jordan was there.
- Tom Hanks was inducting Dave Clark Five because "That Thing You Do" was loosely based off DC5.
- The Dave Clark 5 are getting all their music released on iTunes today.
- Dave Clark reminds me of Sean Connery.
- Photographers are pushy assholes. And they wine a lot.
- The Ventures have recorded around 250 albums. They outsold the Beatles in Japan 2-1 and sold 50 million records there.
- Patti Labelle will always stop for a photograph - she respects photographers and how hard their jobs are.
- None of the reporters knew which of the six people that came out for the Ventures were actually the Ventures.
- When they announced Casey Wilson was coming to the press room, everybody uniformly said "who?" The new SNL cast member seemed a bit like deer in the headlights.
- Iggy Pop obviously didn't take the ceremony or anything associated with it seriously. Probably cause he's pissed the Stooges are still not in.
- Joan Jett looks amazing for 49.
- Ben Harper is supporting Obama, though he tried to not tell us.
- Patti Labelle is just glad to have someone real coming into office.
- John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, John Fogerty, Billy Joel and James Cotton were the only presenters/performers/inductees not to appear for the press.
We feel more informed. We close with Kyle's photospread.
Madonna, Iggy, JT & the Stooges.
Joan Jett, looking good.
Leonard Cohen & Damien Rice
The Ventures
Gamble & Huff, Patte Labelle, Jerry Butler
Ben Harper
Dave Clark & the DC5 with inductor Tom Hanks.
Dave picks a winner.
Seth Myers and new SNL cast member Casey Wilson
Ed Burns & Christy Turlington
Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan
Chevy Chase
AND OH YEAH... Hey valkyriejsc, you're not alone in your protest...
But this guy is definitely down with Madge.
Posted at 2:33 PM
Tags: Billy Joel | Casey Wilson | Chevy Chase | Christy Turlington | Damien Rice | Gamble And Huff | Iggy Pop | Joan Jett | John Mellencamp | Justin Timberlake | Leonard Cohen | Madonna | Michael J. Fox | Patti Labelle | Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame | Saturday Night Live | Seth Myers | The Dave Clark 5 | The Stooges | The Ventures | Tom Hanks
How does John Mellencamp get in before Joy Division?
Posted by: kidacomputerok at March 11, 2008 2:41 PM | ReplyScore = -1
The images are not rengering in my browser (I.E., laugh all you want).
Posted by: Patrick at March 11, 2008 2:44 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I thought this was the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. How does Madonna qualify?????
Posted by: valkyriejsc at March 11, 2008 2:50 PM | ReplyScore = -1
Oh yeah, and Sonic Youth's first album came out over 25 years ago, so they should be in, too.
Posted by: kidacomputerok at March 11, 2008 3:01 PM | ReplyScore = -1
Iggy could've atleast worn a shirt.
Posted by: Les at March 11, 2008 3:06 PM | ReplyScore = 1
I can't seem to get my link to work properly. Epic fail.
Posted by: kidacomputerok at March 11, 2008 3:08 PM | ReplyScore = -1
There should be one more item in the "what I learned" list: that there is no drug screening of anyone in the nomination/election process.
Madonna? Mellencamp? Who next? Starland Vocal Band?
I don't know whose "hall of fame" this it, but it sure as hell ain't mine!
Posted by: John from Pennsylvania at March 11, 2008 3:25 PM | ReplyScore = 0
iggy is priceless
Posted by: keaton at March 11, 2008 3:37 PM | ReplyScore = 2
Joan looked *amazing* - much like Casey Wilsons tits.
Posted by: k at March 11, 2008 3:40 PM | ReplyScore = 2
Wow. I would think that, between Madonna and Iggy Pop, the potential for some Photoshop high-jinks would be irresistible. Anybody? No?
Posted by: DJ Max Power at March 11, 2008 3:56 PM | ReplyMaybe they're saving that monster for the next Wes Craven movie. No special effects needed really - they both look like zombies.
Score = 1
I'm not a huge Madonna fan in the least, but I really don't understand the argument about her not being in the hall. Does Leonard Cohen, who absolutely does deserve it, exactly "rock"? If we're going to take "rock and roll" as being electric guitars and stuff, then I think you'd have to kick out about 15-20% of those inducted already.
Posted by: JIm Hanke at March 11, 2008 4:02 PM | ReplyScore = 2
i like how iggy purposely didn't wear a shirt to steal madonna's thunder. PROPS TO IGGY!
Posted by: nightzombie at March 11, 2008 4:44 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Where did Iggy find that fabulous leather sweater?
Posted by: Justin at March 11, 2008 5:18 PM | ReplyScore = 2
"Photographers are pushy assholes. And they wine a lot."
HOW MUCH WINE DO THEY DRINK?
Posted by: halloran at March 11, 2008 5:34 PM | ReplyScore = 0
yeah. good one. i realized that one this morning when i reread my submission. i guess spelling takes second place to getting to sleep when it's 5 a.m.
but yeah, we like our wine too.
Posted by: kyle in reply to halloran's comment at March 11, 2008 6:07 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Can't see the damned pictures
Posted by: McNasty at March 11, 2008 5:35 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Joan Jett looks way too hot for a 50-year old. My god.
Posted by: alice at March 11, 2008 6:01 PM | ReplyScore = 3
Post should have read: Mike Watt owns all, except Dave Clark because he looks like he eats babies. Joan Jett is probably 90% plastic...which maybe Casey Wilson should invest in, Leonard Cohen is a regal bad-ass, Madonna is boning Jtim now? and Ed and Christy are the Nicole atkins to Brad and Angelina's Feist
Posted by: jimm at March 11, 2008 6:02 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I would like to thank Casey Wilson for featuring her breasts quite prominently.
As for all these other losers... Iggy sounds messed up, but he's classic and I love him. I'm still not sure why he's involved in this, though. Madonna is 0% rock'n'roll. The Hall, much like the Grammys, are clearly full of shit and they mean nothing. And Joan Jett is MILFalicious.
Posted by: The Other Matthew at March 11, 2008 6:24 PM | ReplyScore = 0
man... iggy cracks me up...
Posted by: juan at March 11, 2008 6:42 PM | ReplyScore = 1
DOES Anyone know when they will reply the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2008 SHOW? THANKS,ED
Posted by: Ed Bauer at March 12, 2008 5:19 AM | ReplyScore = 0
DOES Anyone know when they will reply the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2008 SHOW? THANKS,ED
Posted by: Ed Bauer at March 12, 2008 5:19 AM | ReplyScore = 0
madonna is in before the e street band. fuck that!!!
Posted by: will at March 12, 2008 10:45 AM | ReplyScore = 0
Bruce is in, no need for the E Street Band. They ain't gettin in. Get over it.
Posted by: Henry The Ninth Son! at March 14, 2008 5:10 PM | ReplyScore = 0
Joan Jett has Botox.....how could she not.
And Dave Clark Looks more like Norm Macdonald than Sean Connery.
Posted by: James at March 17, 2008 7:54 PM | ReplyScore = 0
now james, i didn't say he looked a lot like him. i said he reminded me of him. that included the way he talked, the way he moved. dave didn't act the least bit like norm macdonald, even if i do see that resemblance.
Posted by: kyle in reply to James's comment at March 18, 2008 5:49 PM | ReplyScore = 0
2008 was a good class! Of course I missed it... But thanks for this summary!
Posted by: ben at March 18, 2008 6:04 PM | ReplyI actually hung out with a guy who's on the nomination comity for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Was interesting! Can't say more, I'm under oath...
Score = 0
I was wondering based on your inductee methods if in twenty years, the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britanny Spears, Paris Hilton, or maybe even Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur will occupy the same Hall as Rock's elite. I don't think they should If so this institution can't be taken seriously, but I believe this might occur unless this issue isn't addresses now. AlsowWhy wasn't the Hall just named the Recording Artist's Hall of Fame or something. MTV made the same mistake in it's early days by assuming the world revolved around "rock" music. If it was that guy up above would have no reason to be holding that sign in reference to Madonna. Speaking of Madonna for all of us who were there knows she's worthy of the Hall, but how is it that Donna Summer who was turning out hit after hit (strongly) between 1976-1979 was not inducted before Madonna. Donna was the "IT" girl before Madonna. (and for all of us who really follow what's happening, Debra Harry took over this role briefly before the Madonna era.
Posted by: Melodum at March 20, 2008 1:57 PM | ReplyScore = 0
I was wondering based on your inductee methods if in twenty years, the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Britanny Spears, Paris Hilton, or maybe even Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur will occupy the same Hall as Rock's elite. I don't think they should If so this institution can't be taken seriously, but I believe this might occur unless this issue isn't addresses now. AlsowWhy wasn't the Hall just named the Recording Artist's Hall of Fame or something. MTV made the same mistake in it's early days by assuming the world revolved around "rock" music. If it was that guy up above would have no reason to be holding that sign in reference to Madonna. Speaking of Madonna for all of us who were there knows she's worthy of the Hall, but how is it that Donna Summer who was turning out hit after hit (strongly) between 1976-1979 was not inducted before Madonna. Donna was the "IT" girl before Madonna. (and for all of us who really follow what's happening, Debra Harry took over this role briefly before the Madonna era.
Posted by: Melodum at March 20, 2008 1:57 PM | ReplyScore = 0